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A woman takes a picture with her mobile phone of a poster by Italian urban artist Salvatore Benintende, aka "TVBOY," depicting Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" wearing a protective face mask and holding a mobile phone. The artwork, "Mobile World Virus," was installed in a street of Barcelona on Feb. 18, 2020, a week after the World Mobile Congress was cancelled due to fears stemming from the coronavirus that sparked an exodus of industry heavyweights.

SOURCE: PAU BARRENA / AFP

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Mona Lisa depicted in face mask with smartphone as artist references coronavirus and more

An artist is drawing attention to a virus outbreak and money-making tech show through a twist on a masterpiece.The installation depicts Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” painting but shows the subject with a face mask and mobile phone.The art is labeled "Mobile World Virus" and alludes to an annual tech event, Mobile World Congress. Barcelona, Spain, where it was installed, has hosted the event for 14 years.Organizers of the world’s biggest mobile technology fair insisted Thursday that they canceled the annual Mobile World Congress due to health and safety concerns over the virus outbreak in China. The decision to scrap the Feb. 24-27 event in Barcelona was taken after dozens of tech companies and wireless carriers dropped out over the COVID-19 virus, including major companies like Amazon, Intel, LG, Nokia and Sony. The companies cited concerns for the safety of staff and visitors.Meanwhile, the Spanish government said in a statement Thursday it “believes it is not public health reasons in Spain that have motivated the cancellation.”Related video: Why Leonardo da Vinci may have abandoned the 'Mona Lisa' after fainting“There is no public health reason to not hold events of this type in our country,” the government added. It did not say what reasons it thought were behind the decision.The decision is expected to be a major economic blow to the city.The show normally represents a huge source of revenue for hotels, restaurants and taxi companies. Authorities have estimated the show would generate $516 million and more than 14,000 part-time jobs for the local economy.The artist, TVBOY, referenced the coronavirus and Mobile World Congress in a post on social media and asked people, "What does this work mean to you?"

An artist is drawing attention to a virus outbreak and money-making tech show through a twist on a masterpiece.

The installation depicts Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” painting but shows the subject with a face mask and mobile phone.

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The art is labeled "Mobile World Virus" and alludes to an annual tech event, Mobile World Congress. Barcelona, Spain, where it was installed, has hosted the event for 14 years.

Organizers of the world’s biggest mobile technology fair insisted Thursday that they canceled the annual Mobile World Congress due to health and safety concerns over the virus outbreak in China.

The decision to scrap the Feb. 24-27 event in Barcelona was taken after dozens of tech companies and wireless carriers dropped out over the COVID-19 virus, including major companies like Amazon, Intel, LG, Nokia and Sony. The companies cited concerns for the safety of staff and visitors.

Meanwhile, the Spanish government said in a statement Thursday it “believes it is not public health reasons in Spain that have motivated the cancellation.”

“There is no public health reason to not hold events of this type in our country,” the government added. It did not say what reasons it thought were behind the decision.

The decision is expected to be a major economic blow to the city.

The show normally represents a huge source of revenue for hotels, restaurants and taxi companies. Authorities have estimated the show would generate $516 million and more than 14,000 part-time jobs for the local economy.